In early December 2023, practically 400 athletes gathered in Charleston, WV to compete within the 2023 Official Strongman Video games, the only largest strongman occasion on this planet. 11 of the 12 divisions have been world championship occasions, with the winners incomes the title of “World’s Strongest.” The Males’s Open division was a qualifier the place the highest three finishers have been supplied alternatives to compete in larger contests in 2024 that will cause them to the World’s Strongest Man contest.
As entertaining and inspirational because the athletes competing have been, the followers have been additionally watching the groups organising and altering weights for these occasions with simply as a lot curiosity. That’s as a result of a kind of volunteers was totally different than the remainder. Amongst these assistants was the 2023 World’s Strongest Man, Mitchell Hooper. Whereas followers and athletes alike have been pleasantly stunned to see him serving to out, he felt he ought to have been.
“I feel it’s simply what we ought to be doing as human beings. If I’m an individual sitting there with no position, no accountability, I’m the strongest particular person within the place and I’m watching folks transfer tools, I don’t see why I shouldn’t be doing that.”
Hooper didn’t really feel that he deserved all the eye he was getting. Aa a matter of truth, he needed the highlight to be on others who have been serving to as a result of they have been simply as dedicated to rising the game as he was.
“I feel it’s been over celebrated a bit, I don’t see why it shouldn’t be the usual within the sport,” stated Hooper. “There was a man who was serving to me transfer (tools), and we have been doing it as a crew. The man who was serving to with me was from Africa, and he’s trying to develop the game there. He’s right here to learn to run a strongman competitors. That man ought to be simply as celebrated as me.”
Mitchell Hooper has had a memorable 2023 to say the least. He gained the 2023 Arnold Strongman Traditional, the 2023 World’s Strongest Man contest, and the 2023 Rogue Invitational strongman contest. He additionally completed second to Brian Shaw within the 2023 Shaw Traditional. Within the eyes or many, Hooper is the primary man in his sport proper now, and he takes nice satisfaction in being part of the game. The previous soccer participant, marathon runner, golfer, and CrossFit athlete feels that his present sport matches him so nicely as a result of he matches so nicely locally that makes up the game. Understanding many individuals will see him as a consultant of that group, he desires to deliver a optimistic highlight to it, whether or not it’s by means of his actions as a volunteer, his efforts in competitors, or by means of his Raise Heavy, Be Form model.
“I need to attempt to make it as welcoming as attainable. The overwhelming majority of individuals right here need to higher themselves. They’re right here to assist different folks.”
Hooper is nicely conscious that being in his place is about greater than choosing issues up and placing them down. He considers himself an advocate for health and needs to assist not solely enhance consciousness of his sport however showcase the advantages that specializing in energy can have on one’s general well being. As famend powerlifter Mark Bell as soon as stated, “energy isn’t a weak point.” The bodily therapist has helped folks enhance themselves professionally for a very long time, however now he has a much bigger platform to unfold that message.
Mitchell Hooper suggested, “This sport is goal, and it’s about objectively bettering your self. If you are able to do that, then that’s what we ought to be actually enthusiastic about.”
It may be overwhelming to see an athlete deadlift weights within the rnage of 500 to 700 kilos in a matter of seconds and really feel intimidated, however the wonderful thing about energy is that everybody can get higher and stronger. That’s what Hooper hopes newcomers to his sport deal with as a result of it could result in so many different advantages.
“We’re not solely making a optimistic group across the sport, however we’re additionally fixing one of many largest issues in North America and internationally,” he said. “The very fact of the matter is that if you may get sturdy, that forestalls each single persistent illness similar to getting match. You may rejoice your energy slightly than your HPA1C ranges or your common blood strain. Additionally, you’re a badass as a result of you’ll be able to carry a 200-pound log over your head. Good!”
Because the calendar turns to 2024, the Canadian strongman now has one other yr of competitions to stay up for. As of this writing, he’s making ready to defend his Arnold Strongman Traditional title in Columbus, OH on the 2024 Arnold Sports activities Pageant. He shall be going through a number of of the world’s greatest strongmen as challengers, together with the returning legend, Hafthor Bjornsson.
Hooper will even be defending his World’s Strongest Man crown later within the yr. Most significantly for him, he’ll add a brand new title to his listing of credentials – father. He and his spouse expect their first little one in February, and as one can think about, he’s enthusiastic about every little thing that comes with fatherhood. In the end, he hopes that his daughter shall be happy with her dad for what he did for his sport and the world and never the trophies on his mantle.
“Ultimately, when my daughter appears again at me and my competitors days, if her first thought is about how I gained these titles, I in all probability didn’t do the job I needed. I hope she appears again and sees the adjustments we attempt to make, the donations we give again to the group, and he or she sees me making an attempt to do one thing good on this planet. That ought to be what evokes her.”
Observe Mitchell Hooper on Instagram @mitchellhooper and subscribe to his YouTube channel to see extra of his coaching as he prepares to compete within the 2024 season.
